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Nov 2020

Politics

Political row after Tory leader attacks Lib Dem petitions

Published: 24 Nov 2020, 06:05 GMT

Updated: 25 Nov 2020, 11:25 GMT

by Suzannah Rogerson

Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper says two Lib Dem petitions were never handed in and had no impact on decisions making. The Lib Dems dispute claims their impact was minor.

A political row has broken out after Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper criticised the credibility of the local Liberal Democrats' petitions.

Mr Cooper claimed two of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats' petitions were never handed into the council and therefore had no impact on any decision making.

The Lib Dems group has hit back, saying these claims are "ridiculous" and "laughable".

The group has confirmed neither petition was submitted but said the impact of the signatures was still apparent.

It said the Conyngham Hall petition wasn't submitted because the group was told the decision was "years away" so it decided to continue building momentum.

Matt Walker, the 'Hands of Conyngham Hall' campaign spokesperson said:

"With the petition still gathering momentum, why would we have handed it in so soon? But then, without any notice – ‘years’ ahead of schedule – the council decided to announce a preferred option."

Mr Cooper also referenced the group's devolution-based 'Hands off Harrogate' petition. Mr Cooper called it a "pattern" of activity by the Lib Dems, accusing the party of setting up petitions without ever submitting them.

The Lib Dems said this petition was never submitted as it wasn't having the "impact we had wanted" so changed its approach.

In his statement, Mr Cooper said:

"Every person who signed it thought they were supporting a local campaign but all that happened was that their contact details were taken electronically."

The Lib Dems furiously disputed claims that its aim was to collect contact details. Mr Walker added:

“What a ridiculous claim from Richard Cooper.

“Hurling such an accusation is a blatant attempt to discourage people from signing petitions in future. It’s a running theme of this council: arrogant and never keen to hear even the most constructive of criticism."

Harrogate Borough Council has employed a Somerset-based company to undertake its huge leisure services project.

Knaresborough swimming pool's current location has been set as the 'preferred location' by the borough council.

The Stray Ferret contacted Mr Cooper for further comment but he said he didn't wish to add to his statement.

Cllr Pat Marsh, Lib Dem leader of the opposition on the borough council, disputed claims by Mr Cooper that the petition had no impact on the Conyngham Hall situation. She said:

“After our petition was launched and was quickly flooded with hundreds upon hundreds of signatures, the council paid for a second lot of consultants who, low and behold, came forward with an alternative site: Fysche Field.

"What changed if it wasn’t this mass community involvement, seeing residents of all politics stripes and none come together behind this campaign?"

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Political row after Tory leader attacks Lib Dem petitions

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